Author's Note: Ah, the eleventh edition to "Sticks and Stones!" And this one's a drabble. =) I hope you guys enjoy it! =D

Summary: Astrid has always found Hiccup's freckles friendly and adorable, and she's a little sad when they begin to fade away. (Post HTTYD: THW.)

Freckles

Astrid had always liked Hiccup's freckles. They stood out from most vikings, who usually didn't have as many freckles, or none compared to how many Hiccup had. There were so many of them, so many little flecks of brown scattered across his nose bridge and all over his face. He used to get teased for them, and Astrid didn't understand why. While she never did anything to stop the teasing and rude comments directed toward Hiccup's freckles, she never said anything mean about them either, simply because she liked them. They were one of Hiccup's unique traits, and whenever he walked into a room, his freckles were reassuring to her. They were a pleasant, friendly sight that Astrid found rather adorable.

She had always admired Hiccup, even though she never said it out loud. But now that she was older and she and Hiccup were finally married, Astrid never let him forget how much she cared and loved him. And, if his freckles were still there, she would have said that she loved him more than the number of freckles on his face.

Yes, Astrid loved Hiccup's freckles, which was why she was a little saddened when they began to fade.

Astrid knew that it would have happened sooner or later, but it had happened so quick and so fast, that she didn't have time to fathom how long it had taken for them to disappear completely. Astrid didn't notice Hiccup's fading freckles until they were eighteen, and Astrid felt a small pang of sadness knowing that one of the things she loved about Hiccup was beginning to disappear.

She hadn't told him this out loud, though. He'd probably think she was strange being sad at the fact that his childhood freckles were going away. Besides, it was a little embarrassing, and Astrid's fondness of Hiccup's freckles was something she liked to keep to herself. It was her little secret, and she wanted to keep it that way. Hiccup's freckles were something that she found comforting in the young viking. But as they began to fade, Astrid couldn't help but feel a bit upset. Hiccup's freckles—the freckles that she had loved to look at since they were younger and as they grew up together—were beginning to disappear.

Astrid didn't want them to go, but she knew they had to. As Hiccup's freckles faded away, it marked something. Something that happened to every viking as they began to reach the age or maturity. Hiccup was growing up, and his freckles disappearing symbolized that. They showed people that he was growing older, slowly reaching adulthood. Astrid was proud to see that Hiccup was growing up, but a part of her wished that she could see his freckles again.

Once Hiccup's freckles had completely disappeared, the feeling of sadness had disappeared from Astrid, and she focused on helping Hiccup with things around New Berk. Now that she was married to him, she was his partner in everything, and that meant she had to be there for Hiccup when he needed her.

It had taken some time getting used to the new terrain of the island and building construction was underway but was proceeding slowly. Astrid knew that everyone was trying to adjust, and she knew that would take just as long as the new buildings to be constructed.

As time wore on, Astrid soon discovered that she was soon to be due for a child. A little baby girl or boy. She had immediately told Hiccup the exciting news and for the time during Astrid's pregnancy, he had been extremely protective of her. He even insisted that she sit out from her chieftess duties and let him cover for her just so that she could rest. Astrid didn't know whether to feel annoyed by this or touched that Hiccup wanted her and the baby to be safe.

All of that overprotectiveness ended when Zephyr was born. Astrid had never felt happier when she held her little girl—her daughter—in her arms. She was tired, but she ignored that feeling as she gazed at the little auburn-haired child's face. Zephyr was asleep and Astrid was rocking her in her arms. Hiccup was sitting next to her, the wonderful fact that he was a father now still was processing through his mind.

Zephyr suddenly sneezed and Astrid grinned. She poked at her daughter's nose and couldn't help but feel nostalgic when she noticed the familiar pattern of freckles beginning to appear on Zephyr's face. Astrid let out a soft laugh.

"What's so funny?" asked Hiccup curiously.

Astrid turned her gaze to him and said, "Zephyr has your freckles."

Hiccup blinked. "Huh? Oh," he said when it dawned on him. The young chief hadn't paid much attention to his freckles. He hadn't even noticed when they disappeared unlike Astrid.

The blonde ran her hand through Zephyr's short, red hair. "I really liked them; you know. And I was a little sad when they started to disappear."

"You were sad that my freckles were fading?" asked Hiccup, amusement decorating the edges of his voice.

Astrid shook her head with a smile. "Yes, I know it sounds silly, but I was." She turned back to Zephyr and her grin widened. "And it's kind of nice to know that they're back now."

Hiccup was bemused, but Astrid understood what she had said. Why, she said them herself, so of course she did. Hiccup's freckles hadn't really come back. Not on him physically. But they had passed on to his daughter. Hiccup's freckles had become Zephyr's freckles.

"Yeah," whispered Astrid. Zephyr breathed softly in her sleep. "I'm glad your freckles are back."